An LDS stake president in Sandy did something in a speech earlier this month that other Mormon leaders have done many times: He warned that evil is corrupting the world.

Then President Matthew DeVisser did something few LDS leaders ever do over the pulpit: He rattled off a number of Republican talking points, lamenting that voters last year chose “socialism over capitalism, entitlements over free enterprise, redistribution and regulation over self-reliance.”

DeVisser, who oversees a number of LDS congregations in the south valley, never referred to President Barack Obama or his Mormon opponent, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, in his speech Feb. 3 to the Hidden Valley Stake Conference but did say 2012 would “prove to be one of the more significant years in our lifetime.”

He cited evidence of the nation’s declining values, including an effort to raise taxes during “the worst economic times since the Great Depression,” some states legalizing same-sex marriage, government-funded abortions and the frenzy leading up to the “fiscal cliff.”

“The U.N. ambassador,” he added, “was instructed by the White House to cover up what happened in Libya, attempting to minimize the deaths of four Americans who were murdered.”

In the speech, DeVisser — who did not return calls seeking comment for this story — said he did not intend to be controversial or political, but was directed in his thinking by the “Holy Ghost.”

Full text of President Matthew DeVisser’s talk is here.Not surprisingly it’s also gone viral on conservative/religious websites, particular Mormon ones.

It’s absolutely fine for President DeVisser to hold such political views–but sharing them over the pulpit at a Stake Conference in his official capacity as Stake President, cloaking them as impressions of “Holy Ghost” leads one to believe the Holy Ghost also serves as a part time Fox News political analyst. Such an abuse of a Stake Conference address is in direct violation of the Church’s long standing political neutrality position:

The Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics. This applies in all of the many nations in which it is established.

The Church does not:

Endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms.

Allow its church buildings, membership lists or other resources to be used for partisan political purposes.

Attempt to direct its members as to which candidate or party they should give their votes to. This policy applies whether or not a candidate for office is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Attempt to direct or dictate to a government leader.

While President DeVisser did not specifically mention political candidates by name or party affiliation. He did not have to–particularly in Sandy, UT. President DeVisser quoted a litany of GOP talking points in his stake conference talk in his official capacity as a Stake President, in direct violation of the Church policy outlined above, and on the Church’s official website:

1. “The U.S. Ambassador was instructed by the White House to cover up what happened in Lybia, attempting to minimize the deaths of four Americans who were murdered.”

Setting aside for the moment that statement is simply false (meaning that is is a lie)–it was one of the loudest most politically charged GOP talking points of the entire election. Several political posts from a variety of political websites confirm this GOP talking point: Talking Points Memo; Media Matters; The Hill; Huffington Post.

2. Other overtly political GOP talking points both during, and after the election, referenced by President DeVisser in his stake conference address include: Voters chose socialism over capitalism; voters chose entitlements over free enterprise; and, that voters, including American Mormons who voted fore Obama instead of Romney essentially chose “evil” over “good.”

This is very problematic for President DeVisser. Labeling “socialism” as evil, and “capitalism” and/or “free enterprise” as good immediately paints millions of Latter-day Saints around the world as participants in evil by electing and supporting “socialist” governments–at least based on President DeVisser’s definition of socialism. This includes all the Mormons in the United States who voted for President Barack Obama–since according to President DeVisser, the American President is a socialist (another political talking point of the far right tea party contingent of the GOP). This also includes all the European and other Mormons where ever situated in the world who elect and support (as they are commanded to do in Mormon theology see hereand here) their democratically elected governments, which by President DeVisser’s definition are also “socialist” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf,currently serving as Second Counselor in the Church’s First Presidency (the highest governing body) must by President DeVisser’s definition also be an evil “socialist”. President President Uchtdorf:

President Uchtdorf was born on November 6, 1940, in then Mährisch-Ostrau, Czechoslovakia, to Karl Albert and Hildegard Else Opelt Uchtdorf. He was raised in Zwickau, Germany, where his family joined the Church in 1947.

If President Obama is an evil socialist, by any measure of the socialist standard, Germany–and all other European countries–are far more socialist in their education, health care, and welfare policies toward their citizens. Participating in, electing, and supporting such policies taints and/or has tainted President Uchtdorf as well as all other Latter-day Saints across the European continent, including Great Britain. One has to wonder whether the same “spirit” would have prompted President DeVisser to give the same address over the pulpit in a Stake Conference to our European Sisters and Brothers?

Mitt Romney, the GOP Presidential Candidate and his would be competitors made this exact same point throughout the last presidential election, deriding Europe and Britain as socialist, over and over. See hereand here. Holding and even promoting such political views in the public square is the absolute right of every American, even Mormon Stake Presidents (or former Stake Presidents, as is Mitt Romney); however, wrapping them in the cloak of sacred theology, characterizing them as impressions of the “Holy Ghost” and delivering them over the pulpit in a Stake Conference in your capacity as a Stake President is inexcusable, indefensible, and so far removed from a Stake President’s calling as to border on blasphemy. It demeans and pollutes the concept of personal and official inspiration and revelation (The Rock upon which the Church is founded) and to which individual Mormons and Stake Presidents are entitled. God (and by extension His Son, Jesus Christ) does not involve Himself in the day to day political polemics of American elections. Mormon Stake presidents should know better–and fortunately most do. It remains a mystery to me how some of my Mormon sisters and brothers hold views similar to that of President DeVisser. I mean, what screams “capitalism” and “free enterprise” louder than say a critical reading of the Sermon on the Mounthere, here, and here. Or the building of a near Zion like society by the Nephites in 4th Nephi.

I don’t speak in any official capacity for anybody on this blog. “The Brethren” don’t seek my opinions on anything political or theological (probably with very good reason). But, my own view is that Stake President Matthew DeVisser has far exceeded the appropriate bounds of wedding Church and State in the Mormon Church in his Stake Conference address. I also believe the best way to address this wrong is for him to apologize publicly over the pulpit, to every ward in his stake, pointing out his mistake, and admitting he should never have mixed GOP political talking points as part of a Stake President’s address during a Stake Conference.

42 Responses to “Preaching Politics From The Pulpit, Stake President Matthew DeVisser Goes Off The Reservation”

I’m not certain the problem is unique to UT. My guess is that there are many, many American Mormons all over the country (including a good number of stake presidents) who hold these views. Perhaps it’s just more pronounced there–I don’t know. Regardless, it had no place at a stake conference.

It happens in Texas also. The Sunday I gave my home coming talk upon returning from my mission, a relative of mine spoke on the importance of voting for George W. Bush and why Al Gore was not a suitable candidate. I was pretty embarrassed.

I am sickened by this news coming from the pulpit of a stake conference, I live here and really wish this state was more more civilized and educated. I agree ” borders on blasphemy” using the Holy Ghost as an excuse for being so hateful.

This infuriated me to hear his rhetoric coming from the pulpit and using his position as Stake President is way out of bounds. He should be censured by the First Presidency, but nothing will happen. His reference to being directed by the Holy Ghost is disgusting. If the Holy Ghost wanted Mormons or anyone to hear this message it would not have come “through” DeVisser. Get real President DeVisser !!!!– you do not deserve to have the mantle of leadership you have. It’s a joke !!!

Watching the kind of overreaction this talk has stirred up is so much more entertaining than the substance of the talk itself. I love Peggy’s coverage, it belongs right alongside the SLTrib’s regular denouncement of polygamy.

Contrary to your hysterical response, I think the stake president in question is massively harmless, he said nothing that should have provoked any such ridiculous degree of posturing outrage from hypersensitive thin-skinned mormon liberals.

Along with their beloved President Obama, the “progressive” camp can’t seem to get much beyond campaign mode.

Your allusions to LDS that happen to live in places with socialist governments is quite a strenuous exercise. I hope someday you will get an opportunity to share your honest views with Elder Uchtdorf. You might learn a few interesting things regarding his personal views on socialism.

As for Mitt Romney, will you ever be able to complete a paragraph, in the rest of your life, without besmirching him?

And this innocent stake president! Wouldn’t you just love to have a personal, face to face meeting, with these men you presume to invest such energy in denouncing?

Doesn’t matter to me Jim, what President DeVisser’s political views are–it only matters to me where he expresses them, and then only one place is inappropriate–over the pulpit in a Church meeting. Otherwise, he can believe and expound whatever political ideology he wants . . .

And here, I thought you were airing your authoratative views about when the influence of the Holy Ghost needs your permission to make manifest, in such politically incorrect ways. It is nice to hear that you grant your approval to anyone who cares to stay within sensible boundaries — as defined by you and Peggy, of course! I am certain that Church leaders will take appropriate measures, at your behest. 🙂

Then too, it appears to me that the stake president cares a lot less about defining the finer nuance of political categorization, and perhaps is more concerned about simpler principles — little things like the truth. Ah, well. What do I know?

I was tempted to add some snide remarks about California, but I understand you have to live there, so I’ll refrain. Don’t you think my restraint is admirable? Ah, well, maybe that would be expecting a bit too much! 😉

Bullies, like Cobabe, will get personal, rather than discuss ideas in a civilized manner. Putting others down, as Vissner and Cobabe seem to do so well, is their modus operandi. Snide? Yes, the image of a snide snake comes to mind…

Seems to me that some folks are missing the larger point that as a Stake President (I served as one for 11 years) his primary responsibility is to invite and encourage people to “Come Unto Christ” and preach the foundational principles of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m not sure whether he ever got around to that in his remarks.

I am almost certain, however, that even if he did, there were some of those in attendance who did not hear of listen because they had been offended by his political comments. During my years of service I made it a point to avoid saying anything, even in humor, that might cause anyone to turn a deaf ear to my testimony of the Gospel, and the principles inherent in getting and living it.

A fundamental charge of any Priesthood Leader is to “protect the pulpit” over which he has stewardship from anything that would diminish the prime purpose of that station. If long after he presided over a sacred responsibility of the Saints to “gather in conference,” his members are talking and thinking only about hs political comments, then it appears to me that this might be an example of a leader who failed in that responsibility.

Joel–thanks for sharing your thoughts, particularly from your perspective as a former stake president. I agree that the larger point is for leaders such as stake presidents to focus on inviting and encouraging people to come to Christ. We all share that charge to one degree or another; however, a stake president even more so. Thanks for stopping by . . .

Joel, I suspect you are right. But the plain fact of the matter is, few of those in the congregation when the address was given were likely even awake for the whole talk. Certainly none of them would have been likely to attach as much importance to it as the standard liberal outraged hue-and-cry that has been raised.

Perhaps we can request that the offending stake president report on just how many have left the fold because his talk offended them.
How much like Jesus’ ministry it might be —

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Guy Murray said:“The best way to address this wrong is for him to apologize publicly over the pulpit, to every ward in his stake.”

I disagree. I believe the best way for him to go forward would be to do what he should have done in the first place, start preaching those same political talking points from the book, The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson. Of course, you and Peggy would still be upset, but it would be a lot more difficult to accuse him of speaking inappropriately.

One week ago today, a speaker in our stake conference did an excellent job of reviewing Marion G. Romney’s talk, “The Celestial Nature of Self Reliance,” found in the March 2009 Ensign. I think it becomes difficult, if you quote the right sources, to say where the line really is between church and state in the LDS Church.

Gary–I didn’t create the political neutrality policy, The Church did. And, it’s a good one. Ezra Taft Benson preaching politics from the pulpit is no more appropriate than President DeVisser. It would likewise be inappropriate for me to get up in a sacrament meeting and rehearse a list of democratic talking points over the pulpit. It’s that simple . . .

Bagley claims Ezra Taft Benson “said it would be difficult to be a devout Mormon and Democrat at the same time.”

That sentence contains just enough of Benson’s words to deceive Bagley’s readers. But that is NOT what Ezra Taft Benson said.

In 1974, President Benson was asked “if a good Mormon could be a liberal Democrat.” He answered, “I think it would be very hard if he was living the gospel and understood it.” He also said, “I would hope that both political parties would clean their own houses and get on a solid basis. But I tell you, there’s not too much choice between them.” (Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 22, 1974, p. B1, italics added.)

Yet Bagley twisted Benson’s answer into an endorsement of one party over the other. It would be a lot more “timely” if it were true.

—

RE: “It’s that simple . . .”

Had DeVisser confined his remarks to The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, a lot of liberals would have been indignant anyway, but we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

There is a big difference in authority between the fifteen men at the top of the LDS Church and the 3,000 men who lead stakes. Face it, Guy, the Benson conundrum within Mormonism is really NOT “that simple.”

Having interacted with many “conservative Mormons” both in UT and outside of UT, there is a general consensus that any democrat is a liberal democrat. It’s a distinction without a difference.

And, it doesn’t matter whether the remarks were created by the stake president of a former president of the Church. They are inappropriate from the pulpit. It’s one reason we don’t hear these same kinds of comments that were much more common in Ezra Taft Benson’s day. . .

…and then there was the conference address by a first counselor who stated union leaders were excercising unrighteous dominion while a strike was underway. This was by N. Eldon Tanner who, as do/did many of the bretheren, sat on a corporate board and apprently take an income for their “corporate” work. I was so disappointed by that. As they say: You can separate church and state but you cannot get religion out of politics (and vice versa I suppose)

I am delighted by his remarks, and the fact that nothing will happen about his having made them. It illustrates what I have always said: There is no difference between the Mormon Church and the far right and corporate values of the Republican Party, which is rapidly becoming more and more politically irrelevant. I hope he and others keep it up, thus guaranteeing the demise of the Republican Party.

Don–I’m part of the “Mormon Church”–however small. And, I can tell you there’s no wider gulf than that, between me and the far right corporate values of the GOP–which I agree is (The GOP) becoming more politically irrelevant. Broad generalizations (generally speaking) are just not very enlightening . . .

Did anyone watch the recent Day of Prayer breakfast/conference held recenty in Washington, DC? President and Michelle Obama, VP Biden and others were present. The key note speaker was Dr .Benjamin Carson, a Pediatric Neurosurgeon. He spoke about many current topics. He mentioned how political correctness is destroying America. We have to speak up before freedom of speech is revoked. President Obama listened intently to Dr. Carson. I suggest you do the same.

Based on what!? Based on the limited view of one man’s interaction with conservative Mormons. But Benson did did make the distinction and scolded “both political parties” for harboring liberal philosophies. It is dishonest to claim, as Bagley did, that Benson thought you couldn’t be a good Democrat and a good Mormon.

Let me give you an example of one who is a good Democrat and a good Mormon.

Marlin K. Jensen was a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy from 1989 until he was designated an emeritus general authority in October 2012. Marlin Jensen is a Democrat. He was interviewed by the Trib in 1998 about politics and the LDS Church. The interview covered issues like gay rights and abortion. Note that these are two of the things that differentiate liberals from conservatives in either party. When asked whether the position of the national Democratic Party on gay rights and abortion makes it difficult for him to be a faithful Mormon and a Democrat, Jensen answered: “That’s true. And it is a challenge.” He suggested the term “Utah Democrat” might help with this problem. He also mentioned the efforts of pro-abortion Republicans in that party and noted that “a pure ideologue [will] eventually . . . have trouble in either party.”

Guy, my friend, not all Democrats support gay rights and abortion. Marlin K. Jensen is a Democrat who opposes both.

In 1974, Benson did NOT say “it would be difficult to be a devout Mormon and Democrat at the same time.” Benson spoke of liberal Democrats, not all Democrats. And it is clearly a valid distinction.

That 1998 interview with Marlin K. Jensen apparently does not represent his current feelings about the Churches’ stand on Gay issues. He has publicly addressed this often in the last couple of years and apparently he has become much more empathetic of deserving equality.

You are right that not all Democrats support abortion. I think that most LDS Democrats do support the LDS concept of “free agency” over any support of abortion and the two should not be misrepresented or misconstrued, especially for the purpose of driving a political wedge.

I fail to see how your acerbic and sarcastic comments contribute to this dialogue–they seem to portray an intellectual inability to converse constructively to the main issue here–should DeVisser have made those political comments from the pulpit in his position as Stake President. And then to justify them by saying he was inspired by the Holy Ghost to go as far as he did in parroting conservative talking points using their verbatim phrases. To me that is where he was inspired more by Rush Limbaugh than the Holy Spirit. I would hope any church member would find his actions out of bounds and divisive as well as beneath our expectations of his position.

I can’t defend those words or actions in that setting and it is fair to discuss that without name calling and insults leveled at anyone who disagrees with your point of view. Please show more intellectual integrity.

I think it is pretty obvious that his original text has been added to like so many email chains. Aside from the clear violations of the handbook there is another speaking style in there and the Stake President has offered no comment to validate he even gave this talk

If the stake president was a liberal and said stuff about the republicans you could bet money that the conservative members would snarl and gnash their teeth. It is laughable that thin skinned conservatives think moderates and liberals are thin skinned. Politics.are.not.to.be.spoken.over.the.pulpit. I live in a conservative town and I am always reminding the members that politics are not for church lessons or talks because someone always brings politics up in church. I am not well liked but I don’t care. I am a conservative Democrat AND a faithful member in good standing. On another blog someone said all members who are Democrats are not worthy to hold Temple recommends or leadership positions, and members should be asked what party they belong to so recommends could be withheld from the Democrat members. It never ceases to amaze me how un-Christ like and mean members are to one another and it is because the majority of the members do not truly believe and do not truly live the gospel principles.

It is possible to surely call at your competence in the function you’re writing. A area desires much more excited freelance writers just like you who are not reluctant to mention how they believe that. On a regular basis follow a person’s heart.

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